Good project management is key when it comes to creating high-quality software development projects at a reasonable cost. Knowing how the software development life cycle looks like in detail can help you complete IT projects with great outcomes.
What Is the Software Development Life Cycle?
Software development life cycle (also known as SDLC or systems development lifecycle) refers to the structured process of designing, creating, testing, and maintaining high-quality, stable, and cost-effective software in a reasonable time. It clearly outlines the various stages involved in each development process.
The SDLC approach is used to create great, safe software that responds to the expectations of customers and stakeholders. It also ensures the software is delivered on time and within budget. As an iterative process, it can be repeated as necessary until the software application meets all these requirements and is ready for deployment.
The role and benefits of SDLC
The software development life cycle plays a crucial role in the successful development of software applications. Its main benefits include:
- Improved quality
Every SDLC process means multiple stages of planning, analyzing, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance, which guarantees the end product is of the highest quality and meets all requirements.
- Increased efficiency
As a systematic approach to software development, the SDLC process helps improve its efficiency by reducing rework, minimizing errors, increasing productivity, and saving time.
- Better communication
Every process involves several stakeholders, such as developers, testers, project managers, as well as customers. The SDLC process allows for improved communication among all of them, ensuring everyone knows which stage of the project they are in and that the project is progressing smoothly.
- Risk management
As every SDLC process includes risk analysis and management, it helps identify potential risks and mitigate them before they become major issues.
- Cost-effectiveness
Because of its organized structure, every SDLC process helps to reduce the cost of software development by identifying potential problems early in the process and avoiding costly rework.
Software Development Life Cycle phases
The role of the Software Development Life Cycle process is to provide a structured approach for smoothly managing every stage. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) typically consists of several phases that guide the progression of a software project from conception to deployment. While the specific names and number of phases may vary depending on the organization or methodology being followed.
Here are the common SDLC phases:
- Requirements Gathering In this phase, project stakeholders identify and gather software requirements by understanding the needs and expectations of users, customers, and other stakeholders. This includes documenting functional and non-functional requirements that the software should fulfill.
- Requirement analysis phase & planning phase
During this phase, the gathered requirements are analyzed, and a plan is created for the development process. The project scope, timeline, resources, and potential risks are identified. This phase involves creating a detailed project plan and allocating resources accordingly. - Design phase In the design stage, the software architecture is defined, and the detailed design of the system is created. This includes designing the overall structure, modules, database schema, user interface, and the interaction between various components. The design phase also considers factors like scalability, security, and performance.
- Coding phase
When the software is created, bear in mind all requirements and the plan. Developers write the code based on the design specifications. This phase includes coding, unit testing, and integration of various modules and components. - Software testing phase
The testing stage involves verifying and validating the software to ensure that it meets the specified requirements and functions correctly. Various testing techniques, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing, are employed to identify defects, errors, and any deviations from expected behavior. - Release phase
Once the software has been thoroughly tested and approved, it is deployed to the production environment or made available to end users. This phase involves activities like installation, configuration, data migration, and setting up the necessary infrastructure to support the software. - Monitor phase
After deployment, the software enters the maintenance phase, where it is monitored and maintained to ensure its optimal performance. This phase includes addressing bug fixes, applying updates and patches, and accommodating user feedback. Maintenance can also involve making enhancements and modifications to the software based on changing requirements or technology advancements.
DevSecOps and SDLC
In the process of creating and developing software, security is, of course, an extremely important issue. And this is where DevOps comes to the rescue! Or more precisely, DevSecOps.
DevSecOps is an approach that integrates security practices into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). It extends the principles of DevOps, which emphasizes collaboration and automation between development, operations, and quality assurance teams, by adding security as a core component.
Traditionally, security was often treated as an afterthought in the SDLC, with security assessments and testing conducted at the end of the development process. However, this approach can lead to vulnerabilities and security issues being discovered late in the cycle, causing delays and additional costs to remediate them. DevSecOps aims to address this by integrating security practices throughout the entire SDLC, from planning and development to deployment and maintenance.
Software security – the key principles
Security by Design: Emphasizing the proactive consideration of security requirements and controls during the early stages of the SDLC. This involves incorporating secure coding practices, threat modeling, and architectural risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential security risks.
Automation: Utilizing automation tools and processes to integrate security testing, such as static code analysis, dynamic application security testing (DAST), and software composition analysis (SCA), into the development pipeline. This allows for continuous security assessments and rapid feedback to development teams.
Collaboration and Communication: Encouraging cross-functional collaboration and communication between development, operations, and security teams. This ensures that security considerations are addressed throughout the SDLC and that all teams have a shared understanding of security requirements and best practices.
Continuous Monitoring and Incident Response: Implementing continuous monitoring of production environments and applications to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. This includes the use of security information and event management (SIEM) systems, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and vulnerability management tools.
By integrating security into the SDLC from the outset, DevSecOps aims to reduce security vulnerabilities, improve the overall quality of software, and enable faster and more secure deployment of applications. It promotes a shift-left approach, where security is not just an isolated phase at the end of development but an integral part of the development process from the beginning.
Popular SDLC models
There are several different project life cycle models that are used in software development. It’s important to note that organizations may tailor these models or adopt hybrid approaches to suit their specific needs and project requirements. The choice of a development life cycle model depends on factors such as project scope, timeline, team size, customer involvement, and the level of flexibility required. Some of the most common SDLC methodologies include:
Agile model
Agile, is used for projects that require flexibility and adaptability. In Agile software development, the process is divided into short iterations, and each iteration results in a working version of the software that can be tested and evaluated. Agile models, such as Scrum and Kanban, prioritize frequent customer feedback, continuous improvement, and incremental development.
If you need you can find more about Scrum in software development projects on our blog.
Waterfall model
Waterfall, where the development process is divided into sequential phases, and each of them must be completed before the next one begins. It is often used for projects with well-defined requirements.
The Waterfall model is a linear and sequential approach to software development. It consists of distinct phases, such as requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each phase is completed before moving on to the next, and there is minimal iteration or overlap between stages.
Iterative model
Iterative, which is similar to the Agile model but focuses more on the iterative process itself than on the specific methodology. In an Iterative model, each iteration builds on the previous one, and the software is continuously refined until it meets all requirements. The model allows for flexibility and gradual enhancements to the software through successive iterations.
Spiral model
The Spiral model combines elements of the Waterfall model with an iterative approach. It emphasizes risk analysis and mitigation, with each iteration going through the phases of planning, risk analysis, development, and customer evaluation. The model enables the incorporation of feedback and adjustments based on the outcomes of each iteration.
V-Model
V-Model is another modified version of the Waterfall model that incorporates testing into each stage of the development process, which helps to ensure that the software meets all requirements before it is released. It involves creating a corresponding test plan for each development phase, with testing occurring in parallel with the development stages. The V-Model ensures that the testing process aligns with the corresponding development phase.
These are just a few of the numerous SDLC models used in software development. The decision on which one to choose in a particular case depends on the specific needs of the project and the preferences of the development team.
The Software Development Life Cycle process allows software development teams to do their work to the highest standards producing the best software that is scalable, maintainable, and easy to modify or update in the future. As such it is an indispensable part of every software development process and has been successfully used by developers since the 1980s. If you are keen to discuss it in detail or check how it may work to your benefit, get in touch with our experts.
Development cycle in your organization
SDLC is not a static process—it requires continuous learning and adaptation to changing requirements and technologies. We have prepared 3 key tips for you to not only check how the SDLC is working in your organization but also to improve it!
- Review Current Processes: Thoroughly analyze your existing SDLC processes. Identify the stages, methodologies, tools, and practices currently used in your software development process.
- Analyze Results and Performance: Evaluate the outcomes and performance of your projects to provide feedback on the effectiveness of your current SDLC. Focus on performance indicators such as delivery time, software quality, costs, and customer satisfaction.
- Seek Team Feedback: Consult with team members involved in the software development process. Gathering their opinions and insights can provide valuable feedback on existing processes and challenges.
It’s important to note that a good SDLC is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It needs to be tailored to your organization’s specific needs and requirements. Regularly evaluate and refine your SDLC based on feedback, results, and industry trends to ensure continuous improvement.
